Smallest Knife You`re Confident In?

Heck, I'm happy carrying my Boker Wharcom. And that only has a 1-5/8" blade. Granted, it's a folder, but I think you can get away with a 2" blade -trick is coming up with a handle that doesn't off-balance the blade.
 
Tough little rascal :thumbup::

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I have really big hands, as in XL gloves are not really big enough for me. For this reason, most small blades have handles that kind match the blade size making them to small to use with comfort. Here are some of the smallest knives that I would consider all around and the little Kephart just barely meets the size. The other picture is a remodeled knife with a four inch blade and a five and 1/4 inch handle. The remodeled knife started out with a 8 inch blade so the handle is almost big enough. Maybe a 5 inch blade and five and a half inch handle would be about perfect. Something like the JK Sandwich knife. I find the Hiker to be a great all around mainly because i love the drop point. With no batoning, give me the 3/32-1/8 steel.
 

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I actually prefer small blades. My go to small blade is my Gossman PSK. It's back up is a Mini Kephart from Stomper. I routinely go on extended backpacking trips with the Gossman as my only blade. This past time, I used it to cut down a sapling and carve some tent stakes, my buddy forgot his. He stopped making fun of the "little" knife I had strapped to my pack.
 
My Mini Canadian is sufficient for everything except batoning, and I have used it as a stand-alone knife while camaping before.
 
This one suits me just fine:

huntersscalpel.jpg


I'd probably be confident in a Case peanut, at least the blade. I'd probably lose the knife itself... :(
 
Stomper said:
This is what I have been carrying. 3 " blade, 6 1/2" oal. I`m just thinking,how small can you go, without losing practicality?

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I love that knife! Clean looks, nice wood. What's the blade made out of, if I may ask?

How small can one go in gear and still have it functionable was a quest for me in my backpacking days. Cut enough onces, and you have pounds off your load. When I was in my 30's, I carried a Randall 14 and a S&W model 60 among other things. In my 40's it went to a Buck 102 and a Beretta 21. These days I'm down to a hide out NAA .22 in the pocket and a 2 inch pocket fixed blade. Binoculars have been replaced by a good monocular. Two AA flashlight has been phased out by a single AAA LED. As you age, weight becomes ever more important, and you learn as a by product, how to develope techniques to use the mini equiptment to get the job done.

Generally small = lightweight.
 
Smallest for me woul be 3" blade which is what my little SwampWarden has, I do generally prefer to carry a knife with a 5" blade though and don't find the extra size a problem.

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For a full-use work knife I'd agree with those who need a decent-sized handle. The blade could be in the 2.5" to 3" range and I'd be happy. I think the smallest handle for me would be something like the Ontario RAT-3. As long as I can get four fingers around it, I'd be fine.

For a backup or detail blade I could go smaller. A 3-finger handle would suffice just fine.
 
As far as control goes I think a good edge is more important than a big handle or blade. A knife that isn't sharp or that you caN'T GET SHARP ISN'T worth taking with you.
 
Smallest blade length for me is 2" to 3". I like 7 1/2" overall with a 3 1/4" blade for a size to fall inbetween small and mid size.
Scott
 
My Izula prototype is the smallest blade I have that I put much confidence in. It does the job, for sure. But personally I don't like going out and about with a blade less than 3.5" long. That seems to be the smallest blade length that sacrifices the least benefit of extra length, if that makes sense.
 
Hikers Backup
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RAT Izula proto
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Both are extremely tough while being small and easily carried
 
tknife said:
Hikers Backup
DSC00306.jpg

RAT Izula proto
DSC00472.jpg

Both are extremely tough while being small and easily carried
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great looking selection there T...:thumbup:

i like how that Izula turned out, with those scales...:eek: did Nick put those on for you??
 
Yep, I'm a huge fan of Nicks handles. Great little knife with some fat scales on it, it rides on my pack strap and is extremely handy and comfy to use.
 
tknife said:
Yep, I'm a huge fan of Nicks handles. Great little knife with some fat scales on it, it rides on my pack strap and is extremely handy and comfy to use.
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ha.. i knew it...:o i could tell right away... nick does make some super comfy handles....:thumbup:
 
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